Autumn Clematis

Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,713 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.

Nationally it blooms mainly from August to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Autumn Clematis: observations by month (U.S.)

About Autumn Clematis

Clematis terniflora (sweet autumn clematis, sweet autumn virginsbower, 圆锥铁线莲 yuan zhui tie xian lian) is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is native to countries in northeastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia (Siberia), Taiwan).. It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized in many of the eastern states. It is considered a Category II invasive plant in New Jersey, South Carolina and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Autumn Clematis by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (buttercup family)

Lesser CelandineFicaria verna

Red ColumbineAquilegia canadensis

Western ColumbineAquilegia formosa

Rue AnemoneThalictrum thalictroides

Marsh MarigoldCaltha palustris

Wood AnemoneAnemonoides quinquefolia

Blue ColumbineAquilegia coerulea

Tenpetal AnemoneAnemone berlandieri

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ